The press conference was held one year ago this week in a meeting room at the Celtics’ training facility in Waltham.

Three weeks after making a major trade with the Brooklyn Nets, the Celtics introduced three of the players they acquired for Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett.

Forward Kris Humphries was one of those newcomers, and judging by his body language that day, it seemed he wanted little to do with the rebuilding project the Celtics were about to begin.

Humphries was about to enter his 10th NBA season and was scheduled to make a team-high $12 million in the final year of his contract.

Right from the beginning, it looked like the Celtics, who landed three first-round picks for Garnett and Pierce, would be using Humphries in a trade at some point during the season.

Instead, the 29-year-old Humphries made it through the entire season and not only became a valuable contributor in the frontcourt rotation but was also a team leader.

There was, however, little chance the Celtics were going to re-sign Humphries this summer, so he has moved on to a team that will be in the playoff hunt next season.

According to reports, Humphries has agreed to a three-year, $13 million contract with the Washington Wizards, the team having an option for the final season. The Celtics will reportedly be getting something out of the sign-and-trade transaction; they are likely to be given a trade exception worth about $4 million.

During his one-year stay with the Celtics, Humphries became known for more than just the man who was briefly married to Kim Kardashian.

He was a hard-working and physical player who never complained about the situation and who took young players under his wing.

Humphries was often one of the final Celtics on the practice floor, and he was usually taking part in shooting drills with rookies Phil Pressey and Kelly Olynyk.

After getting little playing time early in the season, Humphries became reliable for first-year coach Brad Stevens and averaged 8.4 points and 5.9 rebounds in 20 minutes per game.

“He’s done a good job for us,’’ said Stevens early last season. “I think that speaks to his professionalism, too, because this hasn’t been always easy for him. But he’s always been a pro about everything.’’

Humphries accepted what was going to happen during the long 2013-14 season and made the most of it, giving the Celtics quality minutes and showing the way for up-and-coming players by his actions at practice and in the locker room.

“Whether my role is no minutes, five minutes, 20 minutes, I have to contribute and it’s not about me,’’ said Humphries during the season.

Page 2 of 2 - The Celtics have Jared Sullinger, Brandon Bass and Olynyk at the power forward position with Tyler Zeller, acquired in a recent trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers, also set to get minutes up front.

There was really no room for Humphries as the Celtics look to develop young players with an eye on the future.

Humphries is heading to the Wizards, where he’ll join ex-Celtics captain Pierce, who signed over the weekend after a year with the Nets.

The Wizards are a young team that made some noise in the playoffs, and now they have signed two veterans who can give them a boost in the area of leadership.

Jim Fenton may be reached at jfenton@enterprisenews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JFenton_ent.